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Smirnoff vodka begins a new partnership with Sahara Force India Formula 1 Team.

The partnership provides a high profile, truly global, platform for Smirnoff within one of the world's most iconic sports enjoyed by millions of fans around the world.

The press release says responsible drinking will lie at the heart of the partnership. Smirnoff will use its position as an official partner of the Sahara Force India Formula One Team to deliver a powerful anti-drink drive message.

The partnership will see Smirnoff branding featured on the VJM07s of Sahara Force India drivers from next weekend's Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona.

Logos will appear on the rear wing and top of the chassis, with branding on the sidepods at key races. Drivers' suits, helmets and team clothing will also carry the famous Smirnoff eyebrow logo.

Sahara Force India VJM07. (Photo: Sahara Force India)

From press release

The FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX DU CANADA announced May 1st that grandstand number 1, located in the infield, facing the grid and the garages at the start-finish line, is now sold-out, fans having claimed all the seats.

It is the second grandstand to have all its seats reserved, number 34 having been also declared sold-out several weeks ago.

Reserved seating is still available in grandstands 2 (also located in front of the grid and the garages), 11 and 12 at the “Senna Corner”, 15, 21 and 24 at the “Hairpin” and 31 and 33 respectively in the “Island Bridge” and “ Canada Pavilion” chicanes.

It is also possible to purchase on a daily basis, access to the Popular Grandstand, located at the “Hairpin” exit and in General Admission.

The fans who intend to purchase grandstand or general admission tickets must reach the box office at 514 350-0000 or 1-855-790-1245, seven days a week between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Tickets can also be purchased on our secure websites at www.circuitgillesvilleneuve.ca or at www.admission.com.

Scott Dixon set the best time during IndyCar's official test on the new 2.439-mile, 14-turn Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.

Driving the No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing car, Dixon set a 1m09.5969 to top the charts.

Ryan Briscoe was second quickest in the No. 8 NTT Data car for Ganassi Racing (1m09.6558)

Frenchman Simon Pagenaud was third (1m09.7544) in the No. 77 Schmidt Peterson Hamilton Motorsports car and posted the most laps (57).

Three-time Indianapolis 500 champion Helio Castroneves (1m10.0209) was fourth in the No. 3 Verizon Team Penske car, and Ryan Hunter-Reay (1m10.0237) was fifth in the No. 28 DHL car for Andretti Autosport.

Originally laid out for the Formula 1 race, the road course underwent a $5 million reconfiguration and infrastructure upgrade that includes new viewing mounds for spectators looking over the oval Turn 2.

From press release

Single-day tickets to the Honda Indy Toronto, taking place July 18-20, are now on sale.

With two Verizon IndyCar Series races in one weekend, fans can now "choose their day" to get their hearts racing and take in some of the best racing that North America has to offer.

“Our fans have a real appreciation for all that the event has to offer,” said Charlie Johnstone, President of the Honda Indy Toronto.

“There's really nothing quite like the Honda Indy Toronto. The world-class racing, with its energy and excitement, has always been a highlight of the weekend, but the event is so much more than that. This event is truly a festival of festivals.”

For a second consecutive year, the 2014 edition of the Honda Indy Toronto will feature two full-length, points awarding Verizon IndyCar Series races, headlining the action on Saturday and Sunday.


While the off-track programming will feature returning favourites like a craft beer festival, food trucks and gourmet food vendors, alongside numerous interactive games and activities.

Tickets to the Honda Indy Toronto start at $35 for general admission and $60 for reserved grandstand seating. Complete pricing and event information is available at www.hondaindy.com.

Here's something that's never been done before: In a unique effort to promote the launch of the all-new 2015 Golf and Golf GTI, Volkswagen Canada will cut down prices by over one cent a second up to a maximum $1,000 daily rebate!

Simply head to VW.ca/golf-countdown, wait for the amount you want to pay, then jump in and LOCK IT IN. Test your patience and your nerves until another buyer beats you to it.

This special offer ends June 24th.

Source : VW Canada

On the 20th anniversary of the death of Ayrton Senna, McLaren May 1st releases a specially commissioned short film that commemorates Formula 1's most enduring icon.

Filmed on location in Monte-Carlo and at the McLaren Technology Centre using the actual race car and overalls once used by Ayrton, the film vividly recreates the great Brazilian's most famous performance - his pole position lap at the 1988 Monaco Grand Prix.



Driving the dominant turbocharged McLaren-Honda MP4/4, Ayrton Senna qualified an astonishing 1.427 seconds clear of the rest of the field.

It was a superhuman effort, a performance he later discussed with great emotion: "I was driving by instinct," he said. "I was in a different dimension - like I was in a tunnel; well beyond my conscious understanding."

The film also incorporates audio from that legendary interview, conducted with the great motorsport writer Gerald Donaldson - who also contributes a brilliant account of the circumstances of that memorable conversation to www.mclaren.com/formula1.

As previously reported, Mark Fields will take over Alan Mullaly as Chief Executive Officer at Ford. The company today announced that the move will be effective July 1st.

Mark Fields has been working for the Blue Oval since 1989, and as Chief Operating Officer since late 2012. He was president and CEO of Mazda Motor Corp. back when Ford had a majority stake in the Japanese automaker.

Ford had been searching for Mullaly's successor for the past two years. The former Boeing chief is credited with turning Ford around through the crisis that shook up the North American auto industry in the later part of the previous decade with his ''Way Forward'' plan, not to mention a $23 billion loan. Ford managed to avoid bankruptcy, unlike GM and Chrysler.

After losing $30.1 billion from 2006-2008, Ford made $42.3 billion in revenue during the last five years.

Source: autonews.com

Photo: Ford

Effective today, Bill Porter will quit his role as senior vice president of sales & service, marketing for the motorcycle, ATV, and marine divisions to replace Satochi Shimizu as president of Suzuki Canada.

Shimizu, who enjoyed a 3-year reign, will become president of Suzuki Motor de México.

Source : Suzuki Canada

Effective today, Donald Romano becomes the new president and CEO of Hyundai Auto Canada Corp., replacing Steve Kelleher who elected to retire at the end of April after 28 years with the company.

Romano has previously held senior positions in Canada, the U.S., and overseas with the Nissan, Mazda, and Toyota brands. With over 29 years of experience in the auto industry, he joined Hyundai as COO back in January.

"In Canada and around the world, Hyundai is a brand with limitless possibilities," said Romano. "Hyundai has established its position as an industry leader by developing world-class products with a reputation for quality, fuel efficiency, premium features customers actually use, and great design. Under Mr. Kelleher's guidance, Hyundai grew into one of Canada's largest and most successful automotive companies. My task -- and my opportunity -- is to help take the business to the next level."

Hyundai Canada appoints Donald Romano as president and CEO

NASCAR officials recently met with representatives from French tire manufacturer Michelin at the Research & Development Center in Concord, N.C.

Drivers experienced a series of Goodyear tire failures during both Sprint Cup and Nationwide races held last weekend on Richmond's oval.

The meeting between officials of NASCAR and Michelin was scheduled for quite a while, and had, apparently, nothing to do with the tire problems of last weekend.

"It was generally a get-acquainted and get-familiar with the tech center, and some relationship building," said a Michelin source. It likely also involved some regional and "grassroots" possibilities that could involve NASCAR and Michelin to partner.

NASCAR Whelen Euro Series at Le Mans, France (Photo: NASCAR Whelen Euro Series )

Michelin is already the tire supplier to the Whelen Euro Series based in Europe.

The exclusive Goodyear contract with NASCAR's top three touring series, including Sprint Cup, runs through 2017.

Apple intends to launch a patent-pending device that prevents drivers from sending text messages if it detects that the iPhone user is sitting behind the wheel.

Only the driver's phone would be locked, mind you. Other vehicle occupants, whether in a car or a bus, would still be able to receive and send text messages.

Apple's device uses the iSight camera instead of communicating directly with the vehicle, because the necessary modifications would pose a challenge.

Source : cnetfrance.fr

From press release

Move Motorsports Management (Canadian formula car series promoters) and Lincoln Electric Canada (manufacturers of advanced welding equipment and consumables) jointly announced today a sponsorship agreement of the growing Toyo Tires F1600 Championship.

“We are happy to have a company like Lincoln Electric come on board and market their products through us,” stated series promoter Jason Sharpe.

“They have a very well developed motorsports program with some very high profile series so it's a real honour to be their partner” he added.

Lincoln will be the Official Welder of the Series as well as presenter of the Hard Luck Award at each of the six events.

The competitor that suffered some bad luck in the first race of the weekend but managed to overcome it and compete in the second will be awarded a Professional Fabricator's Accessory Kit valued at over $400.

Additionally, a year end prize of a Power Mig 140C, valued at $750, will be awarded to the competitor that best exemplifies advanced fabrication skills and outstanding car preparation over the course of the season.

“I am very pleased to be able to work with the F1600 competitors this season,” states Bruce Clark, Director Marketing and Export Sales for Lincoln Electric Canada.

“I have watched the series grow over the last little while and we felt now would be a great time to get involved,” he added.

Lincoln Electric branding will be prominent on all series cars as well as on Officials Uniforms and equipment. Information on Lincoln Electric products can be obtained at the Series' hospitality area at each of the events.

New York City, NY -- For any vehicular nameplate to survive and flourish over a period of 25 years means something. While the MX-5 hasn't yet reached iconic levels of continued production, like the Mustang or Beetle, 25 years is still a feat for a niche roadster. And if I were a betting man, I'd put my money on it easily surviving another 25 years.

As I sat with Bob Hall, one of the original fathers of the Miata, and Ken Saward, who was instrumental in the second-generation car, I could see their love not just for cars, but this car. It takes a village to raise a child, as they say, and these two fine gentlemen, along with many others, home-schooled the MX-5 over its first two generations.

Photo: Mazda

First-generation NA: Resurrecting a once-popular formula
Bob Hall's vision of a British roadster with Japanese reliability is what brought him to the attention of Mazda R&D, eventually landing him a gig with the zoom-zoom automaker.

Simple, fun, and lightweight, the NA generation Mazda Miata was born and the awaiting public ate up its drop-top cuteness after it debuted at the Chicago Auto Show in 1989.

Equipped with a free-revving 1.6L 4-cylinder engine, the Miata was a race car people could afford. And that they did -- race it, that is.

Later, for the 1994 model year, Mazda would supplant the engine with a 1.8L unit, increasing output to 130 bhp, all in a package weighing less than 1,000 kg.

Photo: Mazda

Second-generation NB: Improving a future icon
As the car moved into its second-generation body style, big changes were made.

The heavy and complicated pop-up headlamps were gone -- something Hall never wanted to begin with -- replaced by oval eyes at the front of the roadster.

Other design elements, such as the curvature of the doors, were changed to provide a flowing design. Ken Saward, who worked on the second-generation car, explained Japanese executives originally wanted to keep the same doors as the first-generation car due to cost. However, when the prototype was put together with versions of both door shapes, it was an easy decision.

A 1.8L engine continued to power the MX-5, though power was increased to 140 bhp. It was needed, as the Miata also ended up lugging around an extra 100 kg of heft after all was said and done.

The second-generation also saw the first and only turbocharged Mazdaspeed MX-5 to ever legally hit the roads, putting 180 bhp to the pavement. It was also the only generation to get a fixed hardtop version, the Miata M Coupe, though it was relegated to being a concept only.

Photo: Mazda

Third-generation NC: Japan takes a crack at it
While the previous two generations were mainly designed in the United States, Mazda tapped a Japanese design team for the third-generation.

Again, thanks to regulations and changing consumer tastes, the NC Miata added another 100 kg of mass overall. It was also the first MX-5 to get a power-retractable hardtop roof.

In Europe, a new 1.8L was developed, producing 126 bhp and 123 lb-ft of torque. But, North American tastes demanded more power, and we received a 2.0L MZR 4-cylinder engine developing 170 bhp and 140 lb-ft of torque that still retained a free-revving nature.

The third-generation vehicle also brought about the smiling-face front fascia you either love or loathe.

Photo: Mazda

Fourth-generation ND: The future is as bright as a summer SKY
Mazda's next attempt will be the first truly global MX-5, with teams on both sides of the Pacific involved in its development. Even engineers at Fiat in Italy will get a vote due to a future twin supplied to them from the Japanese automaker.

The fourth-generation will also mark the first time the Miata will lose overall mass, as Mazda plans to shave close to 100 kg from the car. A more efficient powertrain will also make a home under the hood as Mazda looks to cash in on their SKYACTIV technology investments.

While the MX-5 has always retained some level of cuteness throughout its prior three generations, expect that to change going into generation four. Looking at the rest of Mazda's range of KODO-designed production and concept vehicles, it's not hard to imagine how the next MX-5 will look. Aggressive is one way to put it.

One thing is for certain: Mazda's obsession, and that of its fans, will drive the MX-5 into the future. The smiling MX-5 face may disappear, but the smiles of those driving it will remain for many years to come.

Photo: Mazda

From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone is set to return to Munich as his bribery trial resumes.

The F1 chief executive will be back in court on Friday, with the German news agency DPA reporting that prosecutors will call their first witnesses.

The report said the first witness will be former public prosecutor Hildegard Baumler-Hosl, whose dealings with Ecclestone relating to the Gerhard Gribkowsky corruption affair date back several years.

It is believed the prosecution will focus on whether Ecclestone's statements about the disputed $44 million in payments to Gribkowsky were consistent over the years.

The stakes are high. Many believe Ecclestone's position as chief executive is already untenable, but his reign will most certainly be over if he is convicted.

Christophe de Margerie, chief executive of the F1 fuel supplier and sponsor Total, warned: "Without Bernie, the system could collapse."

Also speaking to Challenges, a French language business magazine, Lotus team owner Gerard Lopez agrees that F1's 83-year-old supremo is "not simple to replace".

Quadruple world champion Alain Prost added: "I really don't know who could replace him. Maybe a duo comprised of one formula one expert and one financial."

At least publicly, Ecclestone remains confident.

Earlier, he flagged the likelihood of having to delegate some of his duties for the duration of the trial, but he now seems to be steering away from that.

"I know there is a lot of talk going on but I should be fine by the end of the trial," he told the Indian news agency PTI. "I am not sharing my work with anyone so far. Two days a week I am busy with the court work and the rest of it is enough for my F1 commitments."

From GMM

In the three-week gap between grands prix, F1 chiefs on Thursday are headed to Biggin Hill, Bernie Ecclestone's airport in London.

It is there that the F1 chief executive will meet with the governing FIA and the bosses of the sport's 11 teams, amid a potentially explosive debate over cost cutting.

The May 1 meeting was called after F1's six most powerful teams, sitting in the controversial new Strategy Group, vetoed FIA president Jean Todt's plans for a mandatory budget cap from 2015.

The non-Strategy Group teams are furious, and have alerted the attention of the European Commission, flagging the potential breach of competition laws.

"Discrimination against any single team would on the face of it seem to be an abuse of a dominant position," small teams Marussia, Caterham, Sauber and Sahara Force India wrote in their recent letter to Todt.

"The European Union competition laws are supposed to prevent abuse of market power and ensure that free competition prevails," they added.

We reported on Monday that the European Commission is now "monitoring" the situation.

Now, the body told the Telegraph in a statement: "The Commission is following developments in the sports sector, including in formula one, and monitors compliance with EU competition rules."

It remains to be seen if the small teams are happy with the proposed cost-cutting alternatives to the axed budget cap, to be discussed on Thursday.

Italy's Autosprint reports that, as well as extending paddock curfews, the ban on tyre warmers has been singled out as the sort of measure that would reduce costs through the technical and sporting regulations.

The magazine also said things like the sophisticated 'Fric' suspension innovation could be banned, while areas of the fuel, brakes and aerodynamic rules could be simplified.

The alternative cost-cutting plan would be introduced over three years beginning in 2015, with greater standardisation of parts from 2016 and the return of active suspension in 2017.

FIA Formula 1 World Championship.

Climbing into this week's 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport tester, my passengers and I cursed the bitter wind while I fumbled at the heat controls with stiff fingers. My friend's son, safe in his back seat refuge from boring, old-people conversation, was blissfully enjoying his toasty buns, as this particular Santa Fe boasts rear-seat warmers, too. Wrapping my frozen mitts around the steering wheel, I praised the Korean company for blessing the Santa Fe Sport with a heated wheel - which, I might add, was noticeably absent in the $100,000 German sports car I'd been in the week before.


What is a Hyundai Santa Fe 2.0T AWD?
The 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.0T AWD Limited is a midsize crossover now in its third generation. The Santa Fe is the final vehicle in the Hyundai lineup to be fully recreated in the crisp "Fluidic Precision" design language. It's available in two models: a long wheelbase Santa Fe XL, and our more compact (by 21.5 cm) Santa Fe Sport. It can accommodate up to five passengers in a pinch, though I wouldn't want to be in the middle over the long haul. What the Santa Fe lacks in boast-worthy status, it makes up for in versatility and features. Not all of the premium sedans I've driven lately were as loaded as this midrange crossover. Bluetooth? Yes. Reclining rear seats? Likewise.

2014 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.0T AWD Price and Specs
Standard are such features as keyless entry, cruise, air, and tilt/telescoping steering wheel.

My Sport 2.0T model automatically comes with heated mirrors, rear-view camera, auto headlights, fog-lights, roof rails and an 8-way adjustable seat, blind-spot monitoring and rear window sunshades. The Technology Packages adds xenon headlights, panoramic sunroof, ventilated front and heated rear seats, Navigation system with 8" touchscreen and a 12-speaker Infinity System.

All those extras come at a cost: While a base model 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.4L FWD stickers at $28,359, my top-of-the-line Sport 2.0T Limited will set you back $38,899.

With 264 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque, the 2.0T has slightly more low-end power than the popular V6 it replaces, but offers 8% better fuel economy. The single transmission choice is a 6-speed automatic.

Driving the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.0T AWD
The 2.0L turbocharged, 4-cylinder engine has a lively character that makes this crossover fairly enjoyable to drive. The wide power band provides plenty of available torque for quick passing maneuvers.

The steering has three modes: Comfort, Normal, and Sport, via a button found beside the wheel. I found "Normal" to be a bit "dart-y" while "Sport" had the most comforting sense of weight -- it doesn't provide much feedback.

Despite the extra weight added by safety technology and sound-deadening insulation, the new Hyundai Santa Fe Sport is 120 kg lighter than its predecessor, thanks to the use of high-tensile steel manufactured by Hyundai's own plant in Korea.

The result is an extremely composed chassis that feels nimble over the roughest pavement. The MacPherson strut front, and independent multi-link rear suspension does a great job absorbing bumps, without too much noise or vibration intruding into the cabin which feels very well insulated, although there is a bit of wind noise over the side mirrors.

Travelling the snowed-in country lanes around my area was a snap with the available 4x4 mode -- a feature that will make it attractive to most Canadians.

The Sport 2.0T has been criticized for being less fuel efficient than some of its competitors, so I decided to put it to the test. Over a four-hour road trip that included highway and inner city I achieved an overall 9.9L/100km. However, for a two-hour highway stretch at the speed limit, it hovered between 7.5L and 7.9L/100km. That's pretty impressive for a 1,681kg, five-passenger, AWD vehicle.

Inside and Out of the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.0T AWD
The Santa Fe's design features crisp, flowing lines, an upright grille, and subtle use of chrome brightwork. Flat-black body cladding along rocker panels, wheel arches and front and rear fascia have a visually slimming effect.

The cabin of the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe features many of the same elements as the rest of the Hyundai lineup. The modern, geometrically shaped centre stack is flanked by angular air vents, with premium soft-touch materials and aluminum and wood trim.

The interior of my tester was strikingly laid out in a warm tobacco colour and contrasting charcoal. Switchgear is intuitive and easy to use, with an optional 8" touchscreen display on models equipped with the Technology package. Overhead, one of the nicest panoramic sunroofs I've ever seen lets in plenty of light. Leather seats are cushy and comfortable, and rear seats recline and fold flat to provide 2, 025 litres of cargo space. Overall, there's a sense of decent craftsmanship and refinement.

Comparing the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.0T AWD
This is a tough segment with an extensive list of worthy competitors, including the Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, and Kia Sorento. Overall, the Santa Fe scores high in all the important categories: versatility, technology, features, and warranty.

From GMM

Renault is on the road to getting "100 per cent" from its new turbo V6 engine, according to operations chief Remi Taffin.

Earlier deep in pre-season crisis, the French marque has made great progress with its 'power unit' since then, but Taffin warns that there is still work to do.

"I would not say that we are optimistic; we are realistic," he is quoted by ICI Radio Canada.

Taffin said engine power is "not enormously important" at Barcelona and Monaco, the venues for the next two grands prix.

Photo: Renault Sport F1

Still, Renault is using the three-week calendar break between the last race in China, and next weekend's Spanish grand prix, wisely.

"Maybe in Montreal we will be close to 100 per cent," said Taffin.

"Overall, this is promising, but we must not forget that we also need reliability," he added.

"It is obvious that we are the engine manufacturer that has probably introduced the most new parts for our engine, and they must be reliable. It is not only performance, we also need to finish," said Taffin.

At the same time, he also acknowledged the existing gap to the industry-leading F1 engine maker, Mercedes.

Asked to talk about the margin to the German marque, Taffin said: "It's hard to say. But what we can say is that Mercedes is faster on the straights and, for the moment, better for the entire lap.

"So I guess the German engine is better than ours. That said, there are factors other than the V6 itself - the turbo and the electrical components - where you can gain power.

"Also you cannot forget the fuel, and work is progressing well with Total," he added. "I think we will move forwards."

From GMM

Canadian grand prix promoter Francois Dumontier doesn't mind the new and milder sound of formula one.

Earlier in 2014, Australian grand prix chief Ron Walker revealed his outrage at the loss of the screaming engines of the past, insisting fellow race promoters will also be looking into whether the sport had breached its contracts.

Less concerned, however, is Dumontier, the man behind the popular Canadian grand prix in Montreal.

He is currently in the midst of negotiations to extend the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve's contract beyond 2014, but on the matter of engine sound, he thinks it is purely "subjective".

"I think assessing the sound of the engine is subjective," Dumontier told La Presse newspaper.

"Now with a V6, I am more inclined to look at the technological development," he added.

"In Montreal, simulations predict that Mercedes will be 18 kilometres per hour faster on the Casino straight than before. The cars will be less noisy, but there are those concerned with the performance, and they will be more powerful," said Dumontier.

2013 Canadian Grand Prix. (Photo: WRi2)

And he pointed out that some spectators in Montreal later this year will be happy with F1's new sound.

"With the V8s, it was impossible to have a conversation when there were cars on the track," he said.

"I see a positive side: Saint-Lambert will complain less," Dumontier, referring to the city on the other side of the St Lawrence river, joked.

Nonetheless, F1's engine manufacturers are looking into how to urgently turn up the volume of the new turbocharged V6s, with the only viable change likely to be in the area of the exhaust.

But there are already noticeable differences between the sounds of the Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault cars, and Renault's Rob White said the reason is due to varying exhaust lengths.

"Mercedes has the shortest exhaust, we have the longest and Ferrari is somewhere in between," he is quoted by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

New vehicle sales in the ASEAN region's six main markets declined by close to 15% to 804,522 units in the first quarter of 2014, from 941,754 units a year earlier, according to data compiled exclusively for just-auto by Tony Pugliese.

A weakening trend for China's economy is beginning to depress demand in China's light vehicle market according to analysts at LMC Automotive.